Muslim Mag Row

Germany has warned diplomats in Middle East countries not to attend their embassies on Muslim holy days after a Berlin satirical magazine dragged the country into the world-wide protests over insults to Islam.

Titanic magazine - which once shocked Britain with tasteless spoof on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann - unveiled a cover showing Germany's former first lady Bettina Wulff being embraced by a Taliban fighter.

Magazine editor Leo Fischer said he was just poking fun at fanatics in the issue, due to be published this week.

"I consider the view that European Muslims are nothing more than sword-swinging crazies to be racist," he said.

Meanwhile, police said that German embassies and consulates in Arabic countries would be on high alert over fears that violence - originally sparked by the video 'The Innocence of Muslims' - could escalate.

Several German cities are also expected to face protests this weekend.

How Boris Becker Was Brougt Low by Cheap TV stunt
Three-time Wimbledon tennis ace Boris Becker has been accused of making himself into a laughing stock by taking part in a cheap publicity stunt this weekend to promote his new book "Life Is Not a Game". The stunt included having a giant bow with two fly swats strapped to his head to play table tennis.